Action Plane

The action plane provides a mechanism to help place points in 3D space as well as set up a convenient 2D plane to perform 2D functions on. The action plane can be widely manipulated and placed around a scene, floating in space at different angles or fixed to strategic reference points on a surface.

The action plane’s appearance can be adjusted in File > Preferences.

Some of the functions that operate specifically on the action plane include:

• 2D line

• 2D polygon

• Circle

• Rectangle

• Offset line

Other functions benefit from the placement and adjustment of the action plane.

The action plane toolbar provides many settings and functions relevant to the action plane.

These include:

• Set action plane position — Several options for:
  • Defining the position of the action plane using points and planes.
  • Translating and rotating the action plane.
• Set quick sections — Several options for defining the position of the action plane using points and planes, while also in section view mode (strip).
• Save and restore action plane — Save action plan locations for easily referencing later on.
• Toggle action plane visibility — Hide or show the action plane.
• Toggle action plane manipulator — Hide or show the action plane manipulator. A widget allowing the user to manually translate and rotate the action from any chosen point on the action plane.
• Choose predefined views — Choose between standard orthogonal views around the action plane position.
• Toggle section view mode (strip) — Special mode that allows viewing strips to be defined parallel to the action plane.

Set action plane

Use these commands to set the position of the action plane using various reference points or planes.

Use these commands to move the action plane to a new position.

XY, YZ, ZX refer to View window standard axes.

Orient from view places action plane perpendicular to camera view direction (user’s viewpoint).

 

Set Quick Sections

Use these commands to set the position of the action plane using various reference points or planes, while at the same time displaying the section mode.

Save and restore action plane

Save any action plane position with a reference name, then restore (recall) later as required.

Toggle action plane visibility

Hide or display the action plane by clicking the icon.

Toggle action plane manipulator

Use this tool to hide or display the action plane manipulator. The action plane manipulator provides a widget that can be used to manually move and rotate the action plane.

• Initially, a white ball appears that can be dragged around on the action plane to the desired location.

• Click on the white ball to activate. The translate and rotate widget will appear and allow adjustments.

• Click on the white ball to close or click on the icon again.

• Place manipulator on action plane using white ball.

Use the manipulator to manually move and rotate the action plane.

Choose Predefined Views

Predefined views allow you to define standard orientations with respect to the current placement of the action plane.

Here is an example of a top view of a pit.

Toggle Section View Mode (Strip)

Section view mode may be used to check registration errors and to compare objects (for example, compare as-built surface against design).

Section view mode provides the ability to view only a section or strip within the View Window with respect to the action plane. Options allow designating reference cuts based on the front, back and centre of the action plane.

Advanced options provide more control on the strip sizing and increments